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15 simple ways to be really nice to yourself this January

You’re worth it.

1. Read that book

There has to be at least one book in your house you’ve been meaning to pick up. Just start it. Go on. Bring it with you on public transport. Read a bit on your lunch break. Read in bed instead of dropping your phone on your face.

Some suggestions if you need them:

Made in America - Bill Bryson (non fiction)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane- Neil Gaiman (fiction)

A Girl is a Half Formed Thing – Eimear McBride (fiction)

girl

Pulphead – John Jeremiah Sullivan (essay collection)

2. Reconnect with an old friend

Write them an email. It doesn’t have to be long. Or even better, a letter.

Make them up a little package and send it to them. A tiny Lego set, a bar of chocolate, a photo of the two of you. Who wouldn’t like to receive that?

lego tesco.com tesco.com

3. Take a road trip

It doesn’t have to be a weekend trip or even far away. Pick somewhere an hour away, pick a Saturday, and just go. Bring a picnic (to eat in the car, it is January after all) or stop for lunch, bring some friends, bring a dog, walk, climb, laugh.

Ireland: Glendalough Glendalough in January. Kevin Lawver Kevin Lawver

4. Meditate

Consider an app for your phone like Headspace, which delivers stress relieving sessions in ten minute segments.

Calming The Storm JD Hancock JD Hancock

5. Reach out to someone

You’re always saying “mind yourself now” to people, so why not help someone to mind themselves. An outreach of friendship and support to someone you think might be struggling or just in need of a pick me up can do wonders for you both.

HSE Ireland / YouTube

 6. Keep a diary

Every day write one good thing you did or felt so you take the time to recognise how deadly you are.

treat

7. Or, start the Jar Project

jar pinterest pinterest

8. Make five different playlists of music that’s new to you and listen to them on rotation

We have some new music tips here, some feel good tune tips here, or you can check out Nialler 9′s excellent music blog for inspiration.


brooklynvegan / SoundCloud

9. Make this eighties playlist

So much joy.

10. Use something you’ve been keeping “for good”

It might be a fancy candle, or a good shirt, or a nice bottle of wine.

Light it, wear it, drink it.

jo

10. Find a new podcast

Desert_Island_Discs__key_facts BBC BBC

Some suggestions:

Desert Island Discs

Radiolab

WTF with Marc Maron

An Irishman Abroad

99% Invisible 

Lots more here.

11. Take a walk

Every day, take a walk and listen to some of your new podcast. Save the podcast for the walk. It will give you something to look forward to.

12. Have a games night

Might we suggest Banagrams, Scattegories and Mafia?

bananagrams an EyE for perspective an EyE for perspective

13. Make your own pizza

Many supermarkets sell this Italian pizza kit for €2.50. It makes two large-ish pizzas, the dough, sauce and oregano are included. All you need is some cheese and optional toppings and you’re away. A really rewarding way to spend an evening.

pizza

Or, you could get more adventurous and make it from scratch.

14. Get cooking

Pick three new recipes to try each week for the rest of the month. Make an ingredients list for each one so you can pick up anything you need while out on your walk or on the way home from work.

If they’re successful, make them again next month. Soon you won’t need the recipe.

Try these sites:

BBC Food 

Lilly Higgins

Gimme The Recipe

Good to Know

15. Mark your memories

Pick a handful of photos from a selection of holidays or events over the past few years and send them off to a service like PhotoPanda or Printstagram for printing.

In a week or so you’ll get a tangible package of memories that you can frame and display and smile over, rather than hiding them away in a Facebook photo album.

You can even create a photo wall.

curalate-on-instagram Jennstrends Jennstrends

 

 

 

Got any more? Share them in the comments section…

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Emer McLysaght
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